MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 27, 2006

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 3:40 p.m.

Adjourned: 5:05 p.m.

 

Present were:                Chairperson Philip P. Palmieri

                                      Councilor Gary Rosen

                                      Councilor Frederick C. Rushton

 

Also:                              City Treasurer T homas F. Zidelis

                                      Chief Financial Officer John P. Pranckevicius

                                      City Assessor Robert J. Allard

                                      City Auditor James A. DelSignore

                                      Assistant City Clerk Lisa M. Thomas, clerk

 

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

1.       Relative to increasing income thresholds for the tax deferral program, the hardship exemption program, and the Elderly Exemption program.

          #27A CM September 6, 2005

          In Committee October 17, 2005 – Held

          Recommend File

 

2.       Relative to banking services.

          #26A CM August 12, 2003

Recommend File

 

3.       Relative to banking services.

          #26D CM September 9, 2003

          Recommend File

 

4.       Relative to payroll process flowchart.

          #26A CM September 16, 2003

          In Committee January 27, 2004 - Held

          Recommend File

 

5.       Relative to abatements for three decker landlords.

          #4B CM February 24, 2004

          In Committee May 10, 2004 – Held

          In Committee November 16, 2004 - Held

          Recommend File

 

6.       Relative to abatements for Three Deckers.

          #4A CM April 13, 2004

          In Committee May 10, 2004 - Held

          In Committee November 16, 2004 - Held

          Recommend File

 

7.       Recommending the approval of an ordinance amending section 3.9 part one of Appendix C of the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996, Executive Management Compensation System.

          In City Council June 15, 2004 #14C CM ordained 10-0.  Also referred to Municipal Operations Committee.

          Recommend File

 

8.       Relative to computer tracking system to assist with benefits and services.

          #25A CM June 15, 2004

Recommend File

 

9.       Relative to FY04 year-end report grants division.

          #17F CM August 17, 2004

          Recommend File

 

10.     Relative to number of vehicles and marked vehicles in the police department.

          #19C CM August 17, 2004

          Recommend File

 

11.     Relative to the City’s Health Insurance Opt-Out Program.

          #14C CM August 17, 2004

          Recommend File

 

12.     Relative to Year-end estimate on the status of the City’s self-insured Blue Cross Products.

          #26A CM August 17, 2004

          Recommend File

 

13.     Relative to Department of Code Enforcement Billboard Analysis Program.

          #6A CM September 7, 2004

          Recommend hold until next meeting March 20, 2006.

 

14.     Relative to Collective Rates/Write-off Policy.

          #26B CM September 21, 2004

          Recommend File

 

15.     Relative to Tax Lien Sales-status.

          #26A CM January 25, 2005

          Recommend File

 

16.     Relative to timeframe available and utilized by the City to perfect a tax lien.

#26B CM December 14, 2004

In Committee February 1, 2005 - Held

Recommend File

 

17.     Relative to an analysis the city’s tax lien account for the last five fiscal years.

          #26C CM December 14, 2004

In Committee February 1, 2005 – Held

Recommend File

 

Communications of James DelSignore, City Auditor

 

18.     Transmitting communication relative to potential increases under MGL Chapter 32, Sections 90A, C, D & E and request for information relative to January 1998 Retirement Bd. Meeting minutes and how Retirement system assets are valuated.

          #40 CC March 29, 2005

          In Committee April 12, 2005 – Held

          Recommend File

 

19.     Transmitting City’s Management Letter for year ended June 30,2004.

          #38 CC March 29, 2005

          In Committee April 12, 2005 – Held

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an updated summary report regarding the RFP process for banking services.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager to enlist the services of local colleges to assist the City Assessor in compiling a list of non-owner occupied residences in the City.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with an updated report regarding the City’s Health Insurance Opt-Out Program.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report on the cost/benefit analysis for the implementation of Chapter 32B, Section 18 to require retirees who are eligible to be covered by Medicare do so. Further, request the City Manager ascertain whether existing Medicare eligible employees can voluntarily elect to participate in the Federal Medicare program prospectively.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager consider a yearly reduction for non-contributory pensions be placed into a trust fund for other post employee benefits.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager provide the City Council with a status report relative to three orders regarding special legislation to establish a post employment benefit fund for retiree health care costs, utilization of Medicare Part D reimbursements to pay for this liability, and post-employment benefit funding requirements of the City’s OPEB Liability with the City’s Actuary filed by the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations on December 13, 2005 and approved by City Council on December 20, 2005.